First Mac - How to record initial setup?

[newmbp123]

Hi all,

I just bought my very first Mac ... MacBook Pro 15" C2D 2.33

Since I am new to Mac, I wanted to record my initial setup so I can save the video. My plan is to keep it as a training video for other members of my family as I know others are getting new Macs as holiday gifts.

I want to be able to show them how to run through the setup and configuration by making a cool video tutorial.

I have a Canon GL2 Video Camera so I want to capture the footage from the computer into the camcorder. The new MacBook Pro comes shipped with the DVI to VGA Adapter in the box.

My goal is to capture the entire setup and what a new Mac does on the very first startup and configuration.

How can I do this on a new MacBook Pro?

 

[ChickenSwartz]

I think you might be underestimating how easy they are to set-up. There is really nothing to do except tell them what time zone you are in and type your name.

It might be best to record using the camcorder then import that onto your computer after you have finished the set-up.

 

[alphaone]

I agree with the poster above. There really is nothing to it. It walks you through the process. As long as you can read instructions you should be golden.

But if you really want to do it, it'd be best just to record it with a camera, then plug it into the computer after it is set up (ie, 5 mins later), and import the video into imovie.

 

[balamw]

The ads really don't lie. Macs get to work (or play) right out of the box.

B

 

[ChrisA]

A video on how to un-pack a box is kind of over kill. Well I guess you do have to find a wall outlet for A/C power.

If you really must record the screen PLEASE for the sake of your viewers do NOT use a camera. You can record the screen to a quicktime video using software. This will give you pristine high defintion video quality with no flicker, washed out color or reflections. There has been some resent threads on how to do this

But you wil need your camera and lights to record the best part, the unpacking and first power up with close ups of the AC plug outlet and finger on the power switch.

 

[iW00t]

A video on how to un-pack a box is kind of over kill. Well I guess you do have to find a wall outlet for A/C power.

If you really must record the screen PLEASE for the sake of your viewers do NOT use a camera. You can record the screen to a quicktime video using software. This will give you pristine high defintion video quality with no flicker, washed out color or reflections. There has been some resent threads on how to do this

But you wil need your camera and lights to record the best part, the unpacking and first power up with close ups of the AC plug outlet and finger on the power switch.

The trouble is the software method doesn't work for the first time setup wizard.

How do you boot into OSX to install the screen capture software without activating the system first?

 

[pianoman]

what was the point of highlighting that a DVI to VGA adapter is included? we know that and it does nothing to help what you want to do.

this is completely unnecessary. anyone who's bought a Mac will tell you it takes a minimal amount of effort to set it up and it surely does not require a tutorial.

 

[newmbp123]

Wow, I post a simple question on how I might accomplish something and I get bashed for wanting to make a tutorial on the Mac OS X initial setup.

What if at some later date I want to share the tutorial with potential Mac users and perhaps I want to show them how easy it is to set up a new Mac, the tutorial would then prove VERY useful.

I never asked if Mac OS X is easy to setup, so why the statements to try to get me to abandon my goal of recording the set up?

Based on the responses, no one seems to know how to accomplish what I intend to do.

 

[alphaone]

Wow, I post a simple question on how I might accomplish something and I get bashed for wanting to make a tutorial on the Mac OS X initial setup.

What if at some later date I want to share the tutorial with potential Mac users and perhaps I want to show them how easy it is to set up a new Mac, the tutorial would then prove VERY useful.

I never asked if Mac OS X is easy to setup, so why the statements to try to get me to abandon my goal of recording the set up?

Based on the responses, no one seems to know how to accomplish what I intend to do.

I'm sorry you feel like you were being bashed. I think that the users here, myself included, were just trying to point out how easy it was to set up a mac and how it, potentially, would not be necessary to record any sort of tutorial (we have no idea what your experience level is).

If you read the second half of my post earlier, I pointed out that you could just record the set up using your camera if you wanted, and then plug the camera into your computer (via usb most likely) and then import the video into imovie after you had finished setting up the computer.

 

[apfhex]

I never asked if Mac OS X is easy to setup, so why the statements to try to get me to abandon my goal of recording the set up?

Because your original stated reasons let us to believe that what you want to do is unnecessary, since there's really not much to show. If you want to prove to others who've never used a Mac before how easy it is to set up, that makes more sense.

There's no way you can do it with software because you can't access the software without setting the Mac up.

The simplest method is to use your video camera — on a tripod! — with a properly focused and exposed image! — to capture the process. Unless you can make the image clear enough, though, it would probably just be annoying to viewers.

 

[ero87]

videotaping the monitor is the only way to do it, i'm pretty sure, as others have said.

Maybe apple has released a video of the setup, but otherwise you're stuck with recording the screen.

It's gonna be a pretty boring video by the way. Address: XX Main St. Phone number?: .... etc.

 

[newmbp123]

Very well,

Thanks for the input. I think I'll record it with my camera on a tripod.

My decision now is to wait for a new MacBook Pro 15" Matte display. I've been poking around on the forums here and have learned that several people are complaining about grainy screens on the the exact model I purchased.

I'll return my system (it hasn't been opened) and once the issues are resolved, I will purchase a new one.

Is there a way to determine without opening the box when my system was built?

 

[alphaone]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the grainy screen issue. Open it up, and if it turns out that the screen is grainy and you don't think it's acceptable, then don't accept it (take it back).

That's just what I would do. It's your computer, do what you think is best.

 

[newmbp123]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the grainy screen issue. Open it up, and if it turns out that the screen is grainy and you don't think it's acceptable, then don't accept it (take it back).

That's just what I would do. It's your computer, do what you think is best.

I thought about opening it and I get concerned that Apple will say it's normal and they can't take it back without charging me the restocking fee.

As this is my first Mac I'm concerned that if there is an issue, I don't want to be stuck with a defective system that Apple says is normal.

I suppose the best and safest thing to do is return it and wait.

 

[ero87]

I suppose the best and safest thing to do is return it and wait.

wait for what? tons of MBP users have no problems at all, i'm not sure there'll be a day when suddenly, every MBP is perfect.

i'd open it up.